Saturday, October 17, 2015

Actor Lee Jun Ki (33) will be making his Hollywood debut in the movie Resident Evil 6 The Final Chapter.On the 17th October, the South Korean actor is shooting the film in Cape Town, South Africa along with the main heroine Milla Jovovich. Milla has expressed her interest on how good Lee Jun Ki as he is good in martial art since he holds a black belt in taekwondo.More details will be released as nothing has been confirmed as yet.

The series began in 2002 and has raised more than $ 1 billion in revenue from around the world. Lee Jun Ki began his fame since he was playing as the hero of an action movie for a long time and to have him featured in this continued series is very rare. The film went on last August shooting in South Africa's Cape Town, Johannesburg and elsewhere and is scheduled for release in January 2016.

Monday, October 12, 2015

It seems these days the fame and popularity of Hallyu star Kim Soo Hyun hasn't died down at all. Ever since starring in the popular drama My Love from Another Star, Soo Hyun's popularity just sky rocketed to nowhere. His face is almost in every ads in South Korea, almost every woman has watched his dramas and gone nuts over Do-manager's character.

Now China's biggest investor Alibaba who has recently invested in the Hollywood film Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation has taken a keen interest on the Hallyu star.According to Kim's agency KEYEAST, the rep has mentioned Alibaba Pictures is a subsidiary of China's largest e-commerce company, they have signed in to invest in Kim Soo Hyun's latest movie 'Real'.The official signing took place last 3 days ago during the Busan International Film Festival.Alibaba Pictures in China in return will have distribution rights for the upcoming film Real.In Real, Kim plays Jang Tae Young a troubleshooter in the criminal world and he later meets a reporter at the later stage.

Group members of Super Junior- leader Lee Teuk, Dong Hae and Eun Hyuk's Swiss travel diaries is scheduled to be released on sale on 19th October.

According to their agency SM Entertainment, Super Junior's Switzerland Diaries of Lee Teuk, Donghae and Eunhyuk have captured the beautiful sceneries of Switzerland with introducing the Swiss main attractions, travel information and much more. In particular, the trio members were directly taken to experience with pictures along with their emotions felt in the travel article. It also contains candid expressions as well. The agency rep said like three good books on members do give the impression of traveling to Switzerland. With leader Lee Teuk, Eunhyuk as a guide and wacky Dong Hae- one is able to see three different kind of expressions and characters. Apparently on the 12th of October, there have bee many reservations sold through the Internet bookstore waiting for the official date to be published.Also- on October 13th, Dong Hae and Eun Hyuk are officially serving the mandatory military services. So we wish them all the best and hope they come back stronger and healthier in 2 years' time. Good luck to them!

Sunday, October 11, 2015

The 8th Korean Drama Awards 2015 broadcasted live on 9th October at the Gyeongnam Culture Art Center have these winners and losers for the year- check out the list below.

Dae-Sang Award goes to Kim Soo Hyun (The Producers)Best Drama was awarded to tvn's MisaengBest Director is awarded to Seo Soo Min and Pyo Min Soo for Yong PalTop Excellence Award (Actor) is Lee Jong Suk (Pinnochio)Top Excellence Award (Actress) is Kim Tae Hee (Yong Pal)Excellence Award (Actor) have two winners- Lee Joon (Heard It Through the Grapevine) and Kim Dae Myung (Misaeng)Excellence Award (Actress) is Choi Soo Young for Spring DaysBest New Actor goes to Park Chan Yeol (EXO-Next Door)Best New Actress goes to Im Ji Yeon (High Society)Special Jury Prize is awarded to ZE:A's Im Siwan for MisaengKDA Award was presented to Park Hae Jin for Bad GuysSeo Kang Joon grabbed the Hot Star Award for his brilliant performance in Hwajung (Splendid Politics). Meanwhile actress Kim So Hyun took the Star of the Year Award for her works in Who Are You 2015? Best Couple Award was presented to Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye for Pinnochio. Hallyu Star Awards were awarded to Kim Soo Hyun and Park Chan Yeol.Veteran actress Kim Young Ae was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

There were hits and misses and one thing I was rather taken back with the Daesang (Grand Prize) award presented to Kim Soo Hyun. No doubt he's a good rising actor but for him to win over veteran actor Yoo Dong Geun and Ji Sung....I think it wasn't a fair play. It was more popularity award rather than him winning the Daesang for The Producers. Ratings were not that high for that drama and it's a short mini drama.And another thing to point out is Kim Tae Hee winning the Top Excellence Actress award was good for Yongpal fans but I was rooting for Joo Won to win a best actor award. And all she did was sleep for first few episodes and then grit her fangs for last few episodes in Yongpal while Joo Won did the hard work...again popularity counts.. Pffft! Mysterious...Perhaps this year's winner list is something what I have expected and didn't feel think it was correct for the winners. Anyway still congrats to the winners. And for those who have yet to win awards- there are still the end of the year station awards...

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Imaginary Cat is about an original webtoon about a cat dealing with human lives. To be precise it's about to describe the inner human and cats relationship, and putting the process of healing the pain of each another. Interesting....Hmmm...Yoo Seung Ho is playing as the webtoon writer and part time book store person. He is self centered and only companion he has is the 4 legged furry friend.MBC Everyone's cast is expecting Yoo Seung Ho to be garnering lots of attention from viewers and fans as it's a different visual showcase on the actor himself.The broadcast is scheduled to show at the end of November.Meanwhile his new film Joseon Magician is due to screen in cinemas in December. This will be his first big screen ever since he is out from the military service.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Six Flying Dragons have been aired and received high ratings for the first 2 episodes broadcast. It took over the first spot from its rivals- Dazzling Temptation and Sassy Go Go. No doubt with veteran actors such as Chun Ho Jin, Kim Myung Min along with rising star Yoo Ah In- the sageuk drama has taken its number one spot for Mon_Tue session drama.I'd definitely sit out the Sassy Go thing coz it's just another teeny bopper storyline on high school kids like Who Are You 2015 and a bunch of young idols playing in it. No wonder the ratings for the drama was a total disaster. At least Dazzling Temptation was rather 'tempting' to me seeing it scored 2nd place. I've always like Ju Sang Wook in all his dramas- often seeing him playing as managerial or chaebol roles. What a delight....but this will be another melo-drama from him along with Choi Kang Hee and Cha Ye Ryun. First impressions for Six Flying Dragons- I was excited when I saw Yoo Ah In's apperance on first episode as the teen Lee Bang Won calling Jung Do Jeon as 'teacher'. But then his apperance was like a minute or so in 1st episode as the 50 lengthy sageuk dramas will kick off with child actors and the history of the General Lee Seong Gye (played by Chun Ho Jin). For those who remembered the crooked head looking meanie old fart from Joseon Gunman- he is again a villain Prime Minister Lee In Gyeom mastermind and trying to drag General Yi down. Child Bang Won wonders around the grassland with his fellow elder brothers and father guarding the country. He tells his siblings that he wants to be like their father who is strong and great in archery. But when he has seen total violence and betrayal, he shook in fear but told himself he will never forgive betrayors. Child Bang Won meets the poor kids around Gaegyeong district. He stumbles across child Boon Yi and Bang Ji. We will leave romance to come in later... as we all know the story will slowly enfold the older Bang Won will fall in love with adult Boon Yi but it's all forbidden. Why? In real history Bang Won marries Min Da Kyung who later becomes Queen Won Gyeong. So Boon Yi is just a fictional romance character added in. Originally I think Boon Yi's role was offered to Baek Jin Hee but she turned it down. Shin Se Kyung then took up the role as Boon Yi. Not a big fan of Shin Se Kyung for her acting is boring...but all I am staying glued to the TV is because of Yoo Ah In. We see that child Bang Won seeks help from Jung Do Jeon - who will rise to become the main advisor and turned rivals when he becomes King Taejong. This drama will definitely focus on young Bang Won from his childhood and life assisting his father to become the Monarch, overseeing the events and later become the powerful and ruthless ruler.I have to admit I forwarded some scenes as they were too painful and boring to watch. I just need to get a gist on the childhood stories and come on...bring on the adult Bang Won for me to start loving the drama.

I can't believe how young looking Yoo Ah In is in the drama. He reminds me of when he first starred in Strongest Chil Woo. He was Heok San- the skillful trained assassin with a painful past. Does he suit well in sageuk dramas? The answer is definitely yes... hehe!

Girl group Girls' Generation (SNSD) leader Taeyeon with strong lead vocals has exhibited her strength and success after launching her solo career.

SM Entertainment agency has confirmed that Taeyeon's solo album and title 'I' have been released on the site on 7th October through Naver Music, Bugs Music, Ole Music, Mnet Music, Soribada and has won first place in the charts.From the album itself another title song 'U R' proves to be another hit as it climbed to top three. Other songs in the album includes Gemini, Tell Me First, Stress...are also on the top charts. The hot international response came from Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau, Singapore, Vietnam, Phillipines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala..etc. It was ranked first in the world, including 13 regional iTunes Comprehensive Albums chart.It came 2nd ranking in USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, 2nd, Australia, Spain, Finland, Chile, India, Ghana , 3rd ranking in Ireland, Russia, Brazil, 4th and5th in France and Turkey. Taeyeon is definitely enjoying global popularity.On 8th October, she will make her comeback stage through MNet for another showcase.Congrats to Taeyeon...no doubt she has the best voice in the group.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Over the age of 18, child actor Yoo Ah In has grown into a matured and versatile hottest leading actors in the Korean film industry. He has starred in various dramas and big box office movies. He has captured the viewer's attention with his sageuk movie Sado and modern film Veteran. I remembered seeing him first time in the drama Strongest Chil Woo where he was acting opposite Goo Hye Sun and Eric Moon. Then he was in He Who Can't Marry with Ji Jin Hee and Uhm Jung Hwa. His success came through in Sungkyunkwan's Scandal as Joseon's F4 version alongside Park Yoo Chun and Song Joong Ki. He took on leading roles in Fashion King with Shin Se Kyung, Jang Ok Jung with Kim Tae Hee and the fiesty Secret Love Affair with an older woman. This year he's signed on to film the 50 episode periodic drama Six Flying Dragons as the historical Prince Yi Bang Won who later becomes King Taejong.

There was nothing more than enjoying great popularity and success from his films throughout his career. During an open chat with the emcees at recent Busan International Film Festival 2015, a female has asked if he has any intention to get married. He was left dumbfounded but still answered politely it hasn't crossed his mind. So the female fan asked him to marry her since she is family oriented and will look after the house well. In return he answered back if she has gone out of her mind- in a weird Busan dialect arousing laughters from public. He grabbed the plankcard from her and shook her hand in appreciation for what she asked for.

He also turned 30 this year and was given a birthday cake with fans singing birthday song for him. When asked if he liked to participate in any variety programs to which he delightly answered Infinity Challenge is something he's interested in. After all he has already appeared as a guest in Running Man before. He's been actively following Infinity Challenge for a long time and would love to participate for once in the program. C'mon Jaesuk! Your team needs to get Yoo Ah In in this program! To be honest I don't see anything great about Kwanghee in IC program- he's pretty hopeless in anything. I rather have No Hong Chul back in the program. Anyway we wish Yoo Ah In all the best and let's hope his new drama Six Flying Dragons will be a great one!

Hallyu star JYJ member Xia Junsu is a solo/songwriter and singer for his coming new mini album and he's working alongside the indie singer Shim Gyu Sun.According to his agency, C-Jes Entertainment, songstress ZXia Junsu and Shim Gyu Sun has released the new ballad entitled 'Just yesterday' 꼭 어제.The melody and lyrics of the songs presents the atmosphere is impressive.Shim's popular digital single- Sakura Moment 꽃처럼 한 철만 사랑해 줄 건 가요? and her musical The Magicians have proven she is someone with a beautiful voice. Originally she used the stage name Lucia. She has participated in several projects such as 자기만의 방 with Epitone Project, Rainbow Rose OST and sang a duet with INFINITE's Woohyun for Re;Code Episode II.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Ever since debuted in the acting industry for nearly 20 years, it was the time actress Chae Jung Ahn shine in her latest SBS drama Yongpal that wrapped up so well with high ratings at 20% over. Her co-stars Joo Won, Kim Tae Hee and Jo Hyun Jae were enjoying massive success from the drama's popularity.

In 2007, Chae plays as Han Yoo Joo in the popular drama The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince who was Gong Yoo's first love - a typical woman who is career minded and ended up dating different men later on. In the past Chae used to portray those type of roles and it was good this round she is playing a different role- a vicious type of character. She was also in the dramas Queen of Reversals, When a Man Falls In Love, The Prime Minister and I and A New Leaf. In Yongpal, Chae plays as Lee Chae Young - a rich woman who marries a man whom she doesn't love at all. Then she started plotting her revenge but tormenting the marriage and relationship with her husband Han Do Joon (played by Jo Hyun Jae). Despite all the spites and insults, Do Joon ignores her but keeps her as his official wife in the Hanshin Group. She betrays the husband and sucks up to the abandoned heiress Yeo Jin (played by Kim Tae Hee). However Chae Young has tons of motives behind her plans. Chae Young is a woman in disguise- she wanted to punish Do Joon and greed for the wealth and status for her own.

Chae Young's apperances, fashion and movements do attract lots of attention from viewers and netizens. She is often dressed in colorful striking clothes and accessories due to her status. In the beginning Chae Young takes an interest in the young skillful doctor Tae Hyun (played by Joo Won) whom she often thinks he's like her cousin brother. Chae Young's failed marriage has led her to seeking younger bachelors. Chae Young is always waiting for the right time to strike back and avenge. Eventually her revenge on Yeo Jin has failed as Tae Hyun and Sang Chul protected her well.She was keeping the faith that she will be the new owner of Hanshin Group thinking she can dispose off the sick Yeo Jin however because of her lies/revenge and coming down from the 12th floor of Hanshin Hospital has ruined her.

Yongpal drama has topped the 20% ratings of viewership for the past one year in 6 times and has become one of this year's biggest hit drama. The final episode recorded 20.4% and the highest rating soared up to 25.62%. On 4th October, Chae Jung Ahn has attended the Busan International Film Festivals 2015.She mentioned love melodramas as if you love your friends. Well done to the casts and crew of Yongpal drama. They all deserved a good pat on the back for their hard work and efforts. Now let's look forward for them to receive some awards for end of year's SBS Drama Awards.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

The yearly Busan International Film Festival 2015 will be held from 1st to 10th October. This will be the 20th year it's been held - glittering red carpet events, wonderful films to be aired and brilliant actors and PDs to be awarded for their hard work. The 20th Busan International film festival will take place in Centum City and Haeundae, South Korea. Tickets are available to book via online. The Gala Presentation of the Busan International Film Festival will present its top rated six films including Korea's own joint venture movie with China and Thailand entitled Color of Asia- Masters. Japan's moving story of a father who left his family - Our Little Sister is in competition for Cannes Film Festival as well as China-Hong Kong's film The Assassin.

Group BTOB will be holding their 7th comeback through their mini album 아이 민 I Mean on the 12th of October.

On 1st October, the group has gathered to publish the new album teaser image and has officially announced their return via SNS.According to the agency, Cube Entertainment, the album 'I Mean' contains the message that they want to express through music.On June, the boys have released their very first album "Complete" while announcing the title song '괜찮아요 I Am Fine' which has brought to the listeners and the group did a wonderful ballad.

The agency said that the group has won first place in the music charts for the first four years of their first debut album. Now BTOB will take their latest challenge to come back within three months.Good luck to the boys!

About Me

Originally I am born and bred in Penang before I migrated to Australia. K-dramas and music are my fav. I enjoy travelling to different countries, tasting various kinds of foods and learning languages including KR & JP.

And may I bring to your attention, this is my personal blog and opinion. I have no affiliation with any stars or news that I've written on this blog. They are mostly been translated from various sites to English. If anyone dislikes or doesn't agree with what I write, please respect my opinion and I appreciate if one can restraint from writing nasty remarks. 감사합니다. :)